<p>I'm new to CC and it took me awhile to find this forum. I tried posting in the wrong forum already, so here it all goes again! I've been reading about colleges for the past memorial day weekend and my mind is swimming. I need tons of guidance and suggestions!</p>
<p>I'm a junior whose passionate about acting, but I feel like I've yet to explore other passions--just because I've thrown myself into acting for the past 3 years. with this in mind, here are things I'm looking for:
+ a selective school with great academics, but also a solid theatre program. I'm not interested in intense conservatory programs.
+ I need to know that double majoring in theatre and something else would be doable at that school.
+ I'd like it to be located--at the very least--near an interesting city, preferably one with theatre and arts and entertainment going strong.</p>
<p>In all, can you guys give me suggestions about which schools to look into? I'm also looking for strong schools that also have strong nonaudition theatre programs.</p>
<p>Here are my stats to help you out!
SAT: 2230
SAT superscored: CR 800, Math 760, Writing 720
SAT IIs: Chemistry 730, US History 800
Class percentile (out of close to 400): top 1%
GPA (unweighted): 4.0
APs: 5s in both APUSH and Chemistry; waiting on English, Calc BC, & World
Courseload: all honors, AP, and GT
Extracurriculars: co-captain of Competitive Speech & Drama team (this year placed 1st in a category at the state level, which is the highest); Fashion Club VP; all the musicals & plays; active in church; local youth group leader.....keep in mind I'm not getting very detailed. </p>
<p>I'm not winning national competitions or founding charities, but I think I'm a decent, competitive student.</p>
<p>butterflies - your plans sound really great, really thoughtful. You can’t go wrong with an attitude like that.</p>
<p>It’s good to check websites and ask about schools here because the regular college searches don’t tell you important details. For example, Boston University has a conservatory-style, auditioned BFA which does not allow you to double major. </p>
<p>SDonCC’s list is great. Some of those schools don’t have city access, but they have nice theatre depts. Give us a bit more of an idea of what you want - for example, size of school? What other major? How important is having city access if you otherwise like the school enough? What part of the country?</p>
<p>Your stats give you a ton of admissions options. Still it would be good to have a couple of absolute safeties. Take a look at the University of Minnesota. It has an auditioned BFA (which actually does allow for a double major), and it also has a BA theatre department with a lot of exciting things going on. It’s a large university in a great theatre city, so it’s not lacking for anything.</p>
<p>Yes, but they are different. BU requires an audition and it is a BFA program but you should take a look at their Theatre Arts major to see if you might be interested in going that route. BC Theatre is a BA program and you can definitely double major. There are no auditions to get into the program but you might be able to get an interview/artistic portfolio review. </p>
<p>And if you like Jesuit schools like BC then consider Fordham’s BA by audition. Excellent program at their Lincoln Center campus. It’s definitely possible to double major although it requires some good academic advising and planning due to the large core curriculum. But your stats would put you in merit $$ range. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>American University (I believe the Theatre BA is non-auditioned), University of Maryland College Park, USC, Muhlenberg, University of Virginia, William and Mary, Skidmore (although the last few are not in/ super near cities).</p>
<p>If you are willing to post a little more info in terms of what state in which you live, if financial aid is an issue, areas of the country in which you might like to live you may get even more feedback.</p>
<p>You guys are awesome! Here are some more things I’ve discovered about my preferences:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>the chances of financial aid are slim and none for me, I believe. my parents both make good money as nurses.</p></li>
<li><p>I’m from southern NJ. I’d like to stay in the North and Northeast, but these days the idea of going into the mid-west or slightly south doesn’t bug me as much. </p></li>
<li><p>I’m not considering schools in the west. I was in California this past summer and love everything about it, but I’m afraid I’d just be too homesick. </p></li>
<li><p>I haven’t figured out what size school I’m looking for. I can’t tell. I hope I’ll have a better idea once I visit campuses this summer.</p></li>
<li><p>I haven’t figured out what other major I’d want to pursue either… that doesn’t help, does it? =/ I’d like a school that’s not strict about letting me explore and find out what I really want to do. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>The more I learn, the more questions I have. :x</p>
<p>1.) Is it possible to hold off auditioning for an acting/drama program until after I attend a school for a little while? Does that option vary by school?</p>
<p>2.) I’m a little clueless about BAs, BFAs, and MFAs. When you major in something as an undergrad, do you pick which degree you’re working to get?</p>
<p>3.) Being in NJ, I know lots of kids who look into Rutgers. I myself went to visit during spring break and was overwhelmed by the intensity of the BFA/conservatory program. I know it’s in the top 3 for conservatory acting programs. I was, however, left wondering how good their BA program was. Anyone know?</p>
<p>Also, it’s fairly important to me that I’m near or in a city. But places that are just an hour away from NYC or Boston or the like aren’t out of the question.</p>
<p>*Edit: I just found an enlightening thread on the differences between going the BFA routes and the BA+MFA route–though I saw differing opinions on whether or not BFA was considered a terminal degree. My new question is this: what kind of degree does a minor in acting get you? </p>
<p>Is there another path to keeping theatre in my college and future life? Considering that I’m not sure whether acting is my only passion, should I try to limit my choice of colleges solely by acting programs? Perhaps I should just look for a strong college that will let me explore my options and has thriving theatre extracurriculars.</p>
<p>You are doing great thinking, and you’ll learn a lot with more reading and especially on visits.</p>
<p>There are a few students who come through this forum absolutely decided on getting a BFA. They depend on getting into an auditioned program (although there are a couple of non-auditioned BFAs out there), and they decide that they will re-apply if they don’t get into one the first time. Other students know that they want a liberal arts experience and look exclusively for BAs; they are open to deciding not even to major in theatre and know they might end up doing it more as an EC.</p>
<p>But lots of students, even ones who really want a BFA, do have a wide spectrum of programs on their list, because of the unpredictability of theatre admissions. My D wanted a BFA probably more than you do - just a personal preference, no judgment here - but she was open to a BA up to the very end, even past the very end since she got a great BA offer from a waitlist. Sometimes it does take the whole senior year and applications experience to find out deep in your heart what you want. </p>
<p>Keep looking at what schools offer, and make a list that will give you lots of options when results are in your hands. Especially if you are not dead set on a BFA, you will have countless wonderful options for getting a great education AND continuing in theatre. </p>
<p>I would say 2 things from your above posts: 1) if you are turned off by conservatory programs, just let the BFA option go at this point; and 2) have faith that most great schools have all kinds of theatre opportunities. Keep researching and exploring! You are going to do great, I am sure. Ask lots of questions - you’ll get terrific suggestions here.</p>
<p>Thanks, EmmyBet! I find that I’m rambling a lot on this thread because I’m basically typing everything I think as I think it. Still confused about what a minor in acting would entail, though. </p>
<p>I like that you pointed out how long it might take before I know whether a BA or BFA is right for me, but it also makes me nervous. I’d like to eliminate schools now rather than later, so I want to make up my mind on BFA vs. BA asap! </p>
<p>Are they two different things, applying to a school’s acting program and applying to a school itself? If I’m admitted to the school and not the program, would I be able to re-apply for the program?</p>
<p>I’m mostly asking these things to help me view my train of thought. I’m going to look for threads that answer the questions that I still have. But if anyone else can help me out with the things I’m wondering about (particularly in the last post where I posted 3 questions), I’d be really grateful.</p>
<p>It doesn’t sound to me like a BFA is right for you, but you also could do just a few auditions to leave your options open, Tisch, BU and Michigan perhaps? </p>
<p>I would put you as a shoo-in to get significant merit aid from Muhlenberg. I am not as familiar with the options for this at other schools, but there may be some. </p>
<p>The process of applying and auditioning is different for each school! You really need to check this out individually. Some will accept academically but not artistically, and others it is all or nothing.</p>
<p>I should add that the list I suggested for auditions is not wide-ranging or balanced, but if you’re not sure at all if a BFA is right for you, then creating a big list is probably not worth your time. </p>
<p>I have to say that I thought the process of the auditions itself was a great experience and even if my D hadn’t been successful, was well worth doing.</p>
<p>I agree with you SDonCC, I’m beginning to think BFA isn’t for me–unless sometime between now and the fall, I have some kind of revelation that performing is all I ever want to do. </p>
<p>From what I’m beginning to understand, a BA is better suited for people who would like to concentrate in acting, but also want to devote a certain amount of studies to other areas. Correct me if I’m wrong? Of course, I’ll have to find a thorough way to research every school’s BA program. </p>
<p>Well that settles it! Now my search is a liiittle bit more refined to schools with strong academics and strong BA acting programs with some freedom for double majoring. are there any schools whose programs are way too intense to even consider?</p>
<p>Don’t worry - BAs by definition should give you the flexibility and freedom to explore your education in the way that you want. </p>
<p>What we found in looking at BAs was not that they might be too much - typically the major is about 30-40% of your coursework, leaving lots of time for electives, gen eds, a minor or another major - but that because they can have limitations, they sometimes didn’t include an area my D was interested in. Some BA schools just don’t have the space or staff to have classes in directing, design, playwriting, MT, etc. So if there’s something you do know you’ll want to explore in theatre, take a look and be sure that they offer it.</p>
<p>Your question about programs that are “too intense” makes me think about how to look at college in general - some schools have more requirements than others, such as a core curriculum, or no cross-registering (where one class could satisfy more than one requirement). Check out how much freedom you would have to take as many electives as you want, in any area that you choose, no matter what your major is.</p>
<p>Brandeis, for example, is known for allowing lots of cross-registering, and students often double major (or even triple major). Brown, for example, prides itself in having an “open curriculum” with no requirements. Both of these schools are well-known for excellent arts programs, including theatre.</p>
<p>Very few BA programs will pull out your theatre credentials in admissions - they will accept or reject you academically based on your stats, essays, recommendations. One exception is Northwestern, which does closely examine applicants’ theatre resumes. But many BA schools base their talent (not need-based) scholarships on the artistic aspects of your application, or from an optional audition or interview.</p>
<p>You should take a closer look at Brown. Their Open Curriculum gives you the utimate freedom to explore. The Brown-Trinity Rep Consortium is a partnership between Brown and Trinity Rep, a professional resident repertory theatre in Providence. Providence is a great little city (much improved from when I went to Brown 30+ years ago). Boston is an hour away by train and NYC is about 3 hours by train.</p>
<p>EmmyBet, those are good points. I’m going to definitely analyze each school for the freedom it allows in letting me choose my classes. What’s the best way I can get that kind of info, though? the school’s website?</p>
<p>and hornetdad, it’s funny that you and emmybet should both bring up Brown. I’ve been meaning to mention it as one of the schools I’m interested in. what drew me to it was that most books/sites I read said that Brown is a great place for the unsure who want to explore their interests. I’m just afraid my stats aren’t up to par. of course, I know there are a lot of factors, some uncontrollable, that come into play with admissions and even vary with each year. I also wasn’t sure whether their theatre program was good, but the fact that you guys brought it up is a good sign! I’ll research more into Brown. definitely a reach school.</p>
<p>I teach in a BA program where there are classes in all of areas (playwriting, directing, design, performance, MT, etc… and students focus a larger percentage of their coursework in their major than 30 - 40%. In musical theatre 50% of the required course work is in the major, and most students focus more like 65% - 75% of their course work in the major (through electives). The Theatre students have a little less required but LOTS of opportunities to end up with more of their coursework in their major through electives if they choose (and most do). The availability of courses in varied areas most likely has a lot to do with the size of the school and the faculty specializations. </p>
<p>That being said, you may find that BA programs are a better fit for you… particularly at schools that do not have BFA programs (or at schools where there are so many opportunities BA students have plenty of opportunities, and are not locked out of classes that are for only majors). </p>
<p>You are asking all the right questions! There are so many paths to a career in the arts, and you may find that (while you always want the arts to be part of your life) you are not sure it is how you want to earn your livelihood. You may discover it is exactly how you want to earn your livelihood. Choosing to go the BA route is not a definite path to needing an MFA to work professionally in the arts, any more than a BFA guarantees that you may not decide to pursue an MFA (or Phd) in the arts. </p>
<p>Generally speaking a BA will allow a student a little more flexibility to explore during their undergraduate years. But there are BA programs that are more specialized and there are BFA programs that offer students more opportunity to explore. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice KatMT! I’m not looking into musical theatre at all, just to clarify (though I love it!). I think you’re saying that BA programs themselves vary in intensity, as do BFAs. I’m going to have a heck of a time figuring out the little differences between all the programs I’m interested in! my problem is that I don’t know how to make the most of a college visit when I go, and I don’t ask enough questions when I’m there. I’m gonna try and be more prepared when I go on my roadtrip this summer.</p>
<p>also, you’re so right about the whole ‘different paths to performing’ thing. I’m in this because I’m curious/excited to see what path acting will take me down. unlike some kids I know, I don’t necessarily see performing as the way I’m going to make a living. honestly, I just love the skills that acting and performing have helped me develop, and I think they’re valuable enough to invest more education in. performing’s already shaped me so much, as a person, in the best way possible. somehow I know that the skills I’ve developed are going to be applicable to whatever else I end up doing, career-wise and life-wise.</p>